Valleys & Trail Sections
Welcome to our Hiking Tours, your ultimate guide to exploring the breathtaking Cappadocia.
for better hiking experience we’ve organized into Valleys making it easier for you to navigate.​
Valley 01 : Red Valley
Red Valley ( Kizilcukur ) is one of the best places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Cappadocia this valley is located in the middle of Goreme National Park named after the red colored tuff rocks and fairy chimneys spread through the valley.
Red Valley has such a beautiful landscape in a dreamy crimson color that attracts its visitors. We can say that it is the most beautiful valley of Cappadocia.
The 5 km hiking track makes Red Valley a popular hiking area in Cappadocia. It is an ideal area and activity for hiking lovers.
For walking out the whole valley, you’ll need about 1-2 hours.
The walking trail will lead you to the famous Cavusin Village.
You’ll experience Cappadocia from a different perspective by viewing its lovely hills and fairy chimneys from the ground level.
There is also a lovely observation terrace.
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Red Valley is also known as one of the best places in Cappadocia to watch the sunset. You can enjoy this activity at the valley in the company of lovely fairy chimneys. Also ideal for photography enthusiasts.
The substance that gives the region its red color is the iron mineral in the volcanic tuff.
The area is like pinkish during the day, and turns red at sunset. You should start hiking from Cavusin village at least 3 hours before sunset to catch the red.
Valley 02 : Rose Valley
Rose Valley ( Gulludere ) is located near Goreme. and the valley is one of the best places to see the fairy chimney formations in Cappadocia.
And that makes Rose Valley a popular hiking route in Cappadocia for nature lovers.
As in other valleys of Cappadocia, here you’ll find many churches, monasteries and shelter areas carved into the rocks. Travelers may see variety of lovely churches and chapels along the valley.
Rose Valley is also home to the best trekking and hiking trails in the Cappadocia region. Rose Valley has about 4 km. hiking track and the valley is only accessible by foot.
You will see many pigeons while walking in the valley.
Rose Valley separates into two paths. One leads to the chambers of the monks that were in seclusion and the other one leads to the popular Church of Three Crosses and Ayvali (Quince) Church
Church of Three Crosses
The Church of Three Crosses is a small cave church with frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and the life of Jesus. It’s named after the three crosses depicted in the church’s frescoes.
Ayvali Church
The Ayvali Church features well preserved frescoes of saints and scenes from the Bible. It’s a smaller church but worth visiting for its intricate artwork and unique architecture.
The Rose Valley is a lovely spot to watch hot air balloons dance in the sky at dawn. It has gentle hills and rose colored rock formations.
When the sun comes up in the valley, the rocks turn a pretty pink color.
This is a lovely setting for the balloons’ shapes. It looks very dreamy and sweet when you put the balloons next to the soft pinks and reds of the background.
Valley 03 : Pasabag Valley
Pasabag Valley, also known as “Monks Valley” is one of the most popular fairy chimneys areas of Cappadocia. The valley is situated between Avanos and Goreme.
Those who come visit Cappadocia mostly go to Pasabag Valley to see the best fairy chimney formations. The formations that once used as a seclusion place for the Monks, are now a very attractive tourist zone in Cappadocia.
One of the best activities in the valley is to enjoy the nature and unique beauties by walking among the fairy chimneys. The valley, which was used as a retreat by the priests and monks during its period, includes many rock cut monasteries, churches, chapels and settlements, as well as tunnels and mills.
Valley 04 : Devrent Valley
Also called as “Imagination Valley” is one of the fantastic regions of Cappadocia. You can experience and enjoy the beautiful lunar landscape of Cappadocia, the most surreal landscape of the region.
Devrent Valley is home to very interesting fairy chimney formations. Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimney that looks like camel and many other fairy chimneys that look resemble animal or human figures are located here.
The valley will definitely make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale land.
There are lots of human and animal shaped fantasy fairy chimneys in the region where you can use your imagination and have fun while walking along the pathways.
The most popular fairy chimney is the camel shaped one.
While strolling in this natural wonder place, you can dream on and on. Other popular activities in the valley include trekking and horse safari.
Valley 05 : Zelve Valley Open Air Museum
Zelve Valley is one of the most popular open air museum areas of Cappadocia, situated between Avanos and Goreme, nearby Pasabag Monks Valley. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia that travelers may experience sharp pointed and wide fairy chimneys.
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Zelve Valley is one of the best places to explore and enjoy the most intensive fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. The valley attracts travelers not only with its fairy chimneys but also with its magnificent nature. We highly recommend you to visit the Zelve Valley on your Cappadocia trip.
Visitors to Zelve Valley Open Air Museum can explore the numerous rock cut churches, houses, and chapels, as well as the cave dwellings and tunnels that were once used by the local inhabitants.
The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the people who lived in the valley, and the unique architecture and cultural practices that have been passed down through the generations.
Zelve Valley Open Air Museum is a very peaceful area that travelers may see variety of both natural and human made formations and best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia such as churches, tunnels, mills, houses and monastery.
You’ll see many monasteries, churches, settlements and fairy chimneys that have been formed naturally in this region, where you will find many traces of life here.
The region has been one of the most important residential and worship places for Christianity between the 8th and 13th centuries.
Panorama of unique geological formations in Zelve valley, Cappadocia
One of the best activities in Zelve Valley is to enjoy nature and unique beauties by walking or hiking among the fairy chimneys.
You’ll need at least 3-4 hours to explore the valley literally.
The valley consist of three valleys.
In the first one you’ll a rock cut mosque.
In the second valley, you’ll find living spaces used in the past.
And in the third valley, you’ll find the ancient rock cut settlements and churches.
You’ll find an impressive fountain at the entrance of the valley, that will fascinate you when you enter the valley.
You’ll find a total of 15 churches in the valley.
Cave Church in Zelve Valley, Cappadocia
The churches of Uzumlu (the Church with Grapes), Balikli (the Church with Fishes) and Geyikli (the Church with the Deer) are the most popular fairy chimney churches that worth a visit and see in Cappadocia.
Valley 06 : Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley is another great place near Uchisar town named after the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the soft tufa since ancient times and offers another spectacular panoramic view over Cappadocia together with spectacular view of dovecotes.
You’ll see variety of lovely fairy chimneys that are carved for pigeons’ nest.
There is a also famous tree named “Evil Eye Tree” in the Pigeon Valley that worth a visit and see.
You can walk up the hills along the valley, watch the valley from the edge of the famous evil eye beaded tree, and feed the pigeons here.
Pigeon Valley is a fantastic place where certain cave dwellings have been painted white to attract the birds for their valuable droppings.
The valley is also famous for its beautiful views.
The pigeons are very important for the locals as they have proved their usefulness for centuries. The pigeons of the region date back to 9th century.
The pigeon eggs were used as filling material for the frescos in the 9th century, as well as their fertilizers are used at the region’s grape yards and farms to obtain extremely productive crops.
And thus this is the source of Cappadocia’s delicious grapes and wine making tradition.
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You can walk up the hills along the valley, watch the valley from the edge of the famous evil eye beaded tree, and feed the pigeons here.
Evil Eye Tree Pigeon Valley
The valley has about 4 km. track and the west end of the valley ends in Uchisar.
Although the tracks through the valley are a bit challenging, the region is also ideal for trekking and trekking.
The walking path is a bit long, so we recommend you take comfortable outdoor shoes with you.
The walk in the valley takes about 45 minutes. The best time to hike in the valley is early in the morning.
Valley 07 : Love Valley
Love Valley also known as Baglidere Valley is one of the most fantastic valleys of Cappadocia.
Located between Avanos and Goreme road, the valley is named after the interesting fairy chimney formations, and being popular with the couples for marriage proposals.
With its magnificent views, the valley is one of the popular spots where you can watch the sunset in Cappadocia. It is also very ideal for photography enthusiasts. Many Cappadocia sightseeing excursions pass the valley on their schedule.
You’ll need about 2-3 hours to completely explore the valley. The valley is also very suitable for those who love camping.​
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Love Valley also has a legend that once there was two enemy families living at the valley. There has been a marriage between this two enemy families and one family kills the husband. As the wife has so much love to her husband, she suicides and after that its been said that stones rain to the valley from the sky.
Love Valley has about 5 km. hiking track starting from Uchisar Castle and ending in the middle of Goreme Cavusin Highway.
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Nestled in the middle of Cappadocia, the Sunrise Spot in Love Valley is a stunning example of the beauty of the area. Love Valley wakes up to
a stunning show of colors as the first rays of sunlight touch the sky.
You can see nature’s big show right from this spot, which was chosen because it has a great view of the sunrise.
Valley 08 : Meskendir Valley
Meskendir Valley offers a 4,4 km. beautiful hiking track.
The valley extends from Ortahisar towards Cavusin Village in the southwest direction. You should arrive to the camping facility on the right side of the Ortahisar – Goreme road to reach the entrance point of the valley. Keep in mind that you can reach the Meskendir Valley with a very steep descent.
You will explore and enjoy the pleasant trekking track with fairy chimneys, churches, cedar trees, tunnels and various plant species. You can walk the valley in 3 hours. Finally the Meskendir Valley merges with the Kizilcukur Red Valley and Gulludere Rose Valley. You can also reach Cavusin village along the paths.
Valley 09 : Swords Valley
Swords Valley ( Kiliclar ) Located right across the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Swords Valley is located near Goreme, named after the swords like fairy chimney formations. The valley is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia where you can explore and enjoy the best rock and pari chimney formations.
The valley is the second hotspot in Cappadocia after Goreme Open Air Museum, located on the opposite side. Here you’ll find group of churches. The valley is only accessible on foot and has about 2,5 km. hiking track.
Swords Valley is home to some of the best formations in Cappadocia that include churches, a 300 meters long tunnel, caves, fairy chimneys and more. The Kiliclar Church and Mother Mary Church are the two beautiful churches that worth a visit and see at the Swords Valley.
Valley 10 : Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley is a fantastic canyon with a depth of about 100 meters and about 10 km. length that was formed by the volcanic activity from Mount Hasan and erosion by the Melendiz River hundred thousands of years ago.
Ihlara Valley is not only a natural beauty, but also a rocky settlement area that hosted an extreme monastery life between 4th to 13th centuries D.C. and housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred hidden cave churches decorated with frescoes and houses lining the gorge.
When you descend to the valley, you’ll have about 4 km. of hiking track in the company of the Melendiz River dividing the valley.
The river is not deep so that you may easily pass from one side to another.
Valley 11 : Gomeda & Uzengi Valleys
Gomeda Valley is located in the west of Mustafapasa village along Urgup. The valley is known as “Small Ihlara”. Just like in Ihlara Valley, you will experience and enjoy variety of rock cut houses and churches, shelters and a river running through the valley.
Gomeda Valley is also called the “Devil’s Creek”, due to its pleasant trails with hollows, tunnels and dovecotes.
The 1,5 km hiking trail of the Gomeda Valley offers a different atmosphere for its guests. One of the caves has been used as a reservoir for rain water since ancient times, and it continues to be used to irrigate poplar trees, which can be seen frequently while walking.
When you continue through the valley, you’ll reach Uzengi valley, and the total hiking trail of these 2 valleys is 6 km.
Valley 12 : Zemi Valley
Zemi Valley there is a kiosk on the right, approximately 300 m after the Goreme exit on the Goreme Ortahisar road. Here you’ll see a road junction to Zemi Valley, next to the buffet.
This point is the starting point of the Zemi Valley walks.
When you go ahead about 800 meters from the junction, you will see a triple fork in the road. The left side is the road to El Nazar Church.
The middle road enters into the Zemi Valley.
And the right road takes you to Gorkundere Valley.
Zemi Valley is one of the longest hiking trails in Cappadocia and it takes its name from the Zemi Stream passing through. The valley has 5,6 km. hiking track and can be walked in around 4 hours. The valley stretches from the Urgup Nevsehir road to the Goreme Ortahisar road.
You’ll explore the stunning fairy chimney formations, tunnels and Roman tombs in the valley entrance.
When you walk for about 2,5 km in the valley, a 100 m path deviating from the left will take you to the Karabulut Church, which dates back to the 11th century. The Cistern Church is located 200 meters ahead in the opposite direction. The frescoes above the water level of the church, which was used as a water cistern in the past, are in good condition.
Valley 13 : Gorkundere Valley
Gorkundere Valley also known as Lovers Valley, is a beautiful valley. Hiking trail of the valley is about 1 km., not a long one.
Many hikers enter the valley, wander along and return from the same road and exit from the entrance path. The fairy chimneys in the valley are quite magnificent and worth seeing.